Coffin-frame.



No. 737,580. PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903.

M. L. CARPENTER. I

GOFFIN FRAME.

APPLICATION mum 22.10. 1903. no MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1;

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No.737,580. I PATENTED $21 111, 1903. M. L. CARPENTER.

GOPPIN FRAME.

APIELIOATION FILED I138. 10. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- F0 MODEL.

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UNlTED STATES Fatented September 1, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

COFFlN-FRAME.

- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,580, dated September 1, 1903.

Application filed February 10, 1903. Serial No. 142,692. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MAITIE L. CARPENTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at N orman, in the county of Cleveland and Territory of Oklahoma, have invented a new and useful Ooffi n-Frame, ofwhich'the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to supporting-frames for coffins; and it consists of the construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, and shown in the accompanying drawings. The object of my invention is to provide a supporting-frame for coffins which shall be light, ornamental in design, inexpensive in material and mode of manufacture, and which shall form an effective substitute for the heavy ornamental handles which are ordinarily attached to the sides of coffins. These handles are objectionable not only because they are of massive construction and expensive, but because it is almost impossible to secure them to the side walls of the coffin without forming openings in the walls, through which air and moisture may enter, thus preventing hermetical sealing of the coffin, which is always a desideratnm of prime importance.

In the structure which will be presently described I have produced a substitute for these handles which while less costly to manufacture will present an appearance quite as pleasing and which shall form a better supporting means for the coffin and not interfere with its hermetical sealing.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of one form of coffin-frame, show-- ing a coflin seated therein. Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of a coffin-frame of the form shown in Fig. 1, but without the coffin therein. Fig. 3 represents a transverse median section of the frame of the form shown in Fig. 1. Fig. l represents a side elevation of a slightly-modified form of frame. Fig. 5 represents a transverse median section through Fig. 4.. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing a portion ofone of the end rods with the handle mounted thereon shown in section.

In all the above-mentioned figures corresponding parts are indicated by the same characters of reference throughout.

In the construction of my improved coflinframe I make use of a base portion 1, which may be formed from heavy wire, employing either a single strand of sufficient diameter or a plurality of strands of smaller diameter twisted together, both of these constructions being shown, or instead of wire I may employ in the construction of the base portion four pieces of sheet metal bent longitudinally, so as to form what are substantially right angles. The four pieces of sheet metal maybe united in any suitable manner to form smooth and sightly corners and are to be covered on the inside with a lining of felt 2 or other suitable material to prevent scratching of the coffin as it is set in the frame. When the base portion of the frame is constructed of wire, tufts or buttons 3 3 3, 850., of suitable material are provided for a similar purpose. Extending across the base portion of the frame in order to give it stability I provide a number of wire cross-pieces 4 4A, which may when the base portion is also formed of wire extend upward at right angles to the base to form the uprights 5 5 5, &c., of the coffin-frame. When the base portion of the frame is constructed of sheet metal, the cross-pieces 4 4 4 pass through suitable perforations 6 6 6, &c., in the horizontal parts of the four pieces of sheet metal forming the base portion, and the uprights of the frame are formed of separate pieces of single or twisted wire passed through openings 7 7 7, provided in the vertical parts of the four members of the base portion of the frame. In either form of frame the side portions form loops 8 8 S at their upper ends, which are bent outward from the coffin, so as to afiord suitable handles whereby the frame and the coffin supported therein maybe conveniently carried.

Near the upper end of the uprights 5 5 5 the Wire is bent to form single coils through which side rods 9 9 are passed. Each of the side rods is to be formed of wire and may be formed of single pieces of suitable diameter or of a plurality of strands of smaller diame:

ter twisted together. Each side rod has at either end an eye 10, whose use will presently appear. At the points of juncture of the up rights 5 5, &c., and the side rods 9 9 I provide devices to prevent the scratching of the cofiin as it is lowered into the frame. These devices consist, preferably, of buttons covcred with rubber or cloth of soft finish and are secured in position by means of small nails or screws which are provided with ornamental heads of polished metal to present a pleasing appearance from the outside.

The wire forming the uprights of the coffinframe being naturally resilient to some degree tends to press against the sides of the coffin contained in the frame and to keep the handle-loops ata suitable distance therefrom; but in order to hold the coffin more securely in the frame and prevent any slipping and possibility of accidents resulting therefrom I provide end rods 11 11, each having its ends threaded at 12 12 and adapted to be passed through the eyes 10 10, 850., formed in the ends of the side rods 9 9. On either end of each of the end rods 11 11 I screw an ornamental end piece 13, which is internally threaded to engage with the threaded portion 12 at either end of the end rods 11. The ornamental end pieces 13 13, &c., have on each a flange 14, located at the inner end, and have the outer end so formed as to afford a convenient supplemental handle to be used in carrying the coffin, if found necessary.

The flanges 1414 are provided to abut against the eyes 10 10, &c., in the ends of the side rods and to force the side rods into firm contact with the sides of the coffin when theend pieces 13 13 are screwed into position on the end rods 11 11.

In constructing my improved coffin-frame my intention is to employ wire coated with enamel or some metal, such asnickel, which is adapted to receive and retain a high polish, but which may be inexpensively applied to the wire, and to bend the various parts into different ornamental designsin order to give the finished structure an appearance which shall be quite as pleasing as that of the heavy handles commonly screwed or riveted to the side walls of coffins. The end pieces 13 13, &c., are to be constructed in similar manner and will add greatly to the pleasing appearance of the finished structure. 'If desired, additional security may be obtained by passing straps, preferably provided with ornamental buckles, from the side rod on one side of the frame over the coffin and fastening them to the side rods on. the opposite side. This additional security is, however, unnecessary, as the clamping of the side rods against the coffin by means of the end rods 11 11 and their end pieces 13 13 13 will effectively prevent any motion of the coffin in the frame.

Inasmuch as the coffins ordinarily in use are provided with handles, and consequently not adapted for use in my improved frame, I intend to employ in connection therewith coffins of cheap material, preferably a woodpulp treated with any of the well-known materials for preventing decay, and adapted to be hermetically sealed. This frame may, however, be used with coffins constructed of any desired material. The frames will preferably be made in difierent sizes and numbered or otherwise designated according to their size and adapted to fit coffins of various sizes, which may be correspondingly designated.

Having now fully described and shown the construction of my improved coffin-frame, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination in a coffin-frame, of a base portion, cross-wires to brace said base portion, wire uprights secured to said base portion and having the upper ends thereof formed into loops and bent outward to serve as handles, side rods carried by the uprights, and end rods for connecting said side rods, substantially as described.

2. The combination in a cofiin-frame, of a base portion formed of sheet metal, wire crossbraces for said base portion, wire uprights secured to said base portion and having their upper ends formed into loops and bent outward to serve as handles, side rods carried by said uprights, and end rods for connecting said side rods, substantially as described.

3. The combination in a coffin-frame, of a base portion formed of pieces of sheet metal each longitudinally bent to form a horizontal and vertical part, wire cross-braces passing through perforations in the horizontal parts of said base members, wire uprights s'ecured in perforations in the vertical parts of said base members, side rods carried by said uprights, and end rods for connecting said side rods, substantially as described.

4. The combination in a coffin-frame, of a rigid base portion, resilient upright portions provided with non-scratching lining, side rods carried by the upright portions, end rods connecting said side rods, and means whereby said side rods may be forced into firm engagement with the sides of the coffin.

5. The combination in a coffin-frame, of a rigid base portion, resilient upright portions secured to said base portion and being provided on their inner surfaces with devices to prevent the scratching of the coffin, side rods carried by said uprights and having eyes, end rods passed through said eyes, and means carried by said end rods for clamping the side rods against the sides of the coffin, substantially as described.

6. The combination in a coffin-frame, of a base formed from sheet metal, wire uprights secured to said base, side rods carried by said uprights and provided at their ends with my own I have hereto aflixed my signaturein the presence of two Witnesses.

MATTIE L. CARPENTER.

eyes, end rods passing through said eyes and having threaded ends, and threaded members adapted to engage with the threaded ends of said end rods and force the side rods into 5 firm engagement with the sides of the cof- Witnesses:

fin, substantially as described. J. N. CARPENTER,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as S. J. WILKINs. 

